Work, Skills and Learning Futures

This research programme investigates Work, Skills and Learning Futures and embraces the transformation of work. We develop methodological and analytical thinking grounded in Design Anthropology, Design Research and Science and Technology Studies (STS)  to understand the present and the possible futures of work, skills and learning. We seek to envision and advocate for pathways towards a more equitable, just, and sustainable societal future.

The transformation of work, skills, and learning is at the centre of how we live in the present and how life will be experienced in the future. This programme explores this transformation through studies of the present and of possible futures, and seeks to shape work, skills and learning futures.

Work is the cornerstone for political and societal debates about  AI, future emerging technologies, and human relationships. How will we co-inhabit with technologies that can perform tasks like us?

Technological futures are an increasingly central concern for academia, the public, governments, industry and society, particularly regarding the future of work and workers' well-being. Our priority is to bring new perspectives to this complex topic by drawing on theory, analytical innovation and applied practices by exploring technological future scenarios.

What we do

New conceptual and methodological tools, approaches and modes of researching work futures are emerging, and more are needed.  In response to this task, we innovatively conceptualise, think and develop research methods based on design ethnography and participatory design that enable us and participants to imagine what is to come while recognising our collective role in shaping work futures. We collaborate with stakeholders in the futures of work, skills and learning to develop research projects and advance and apply knowledge to everyday work lives.

What are our processes of concern

• Exploring everyday work environments, workers’ experiences and routines
• Asking how automation, robotisation and digitalisation might be investigated and understood in relation to work futures
• Investigating what transformations in the way we work are related to sustainability and environmental prosperity
• Investigate how emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) influence creative thinking and support speculation of possible futures
• Thinking of what jobs we will have in the near future, how we create them and how we prepare graduates for these.
• Understanding what will be the role of ‘work’ in the political and social futures

In doing so, the Work Futures program seeks to advance new narratives towards plausible, ethical and inclusive work futures, and propose which concepts and methods will allow us to apprehend transformations in work futures while orienting us to an interventional research paradigm.

Our projects

Our current projects in the area focus on the transformation of work,  workplace and practices related to emerging technologies. We see such everyday life, environment, creativity, workers' experiences, management, and processes understood as automation, robotisation and digitalisation with an orientation to possible and desirable futures, imaginaries and workers’ wellbeing. We are conducting empirical research, as well as employing future and speculative methods to explore specific issues including human-tech relationships in the workplaces; robots in construction, telecare in health; service tech (ex., checkout in supermarkets); Software (ex., diagnosis, digital twin); and data (ex., algorithms), generative artificial intelligence and creativity, among many.

Projects

Associate Director, work, Skills and Learning Futures

Dr Debora Lanzeni

Are you interested in partnering with us?

Get in contact with our Research Program Lead to discuss how we can start a research project with you.